NFL-prospects on display: 11/5

TFY Draft Preview

11/04/2005

All eye's are focused on Blacksburg, Virginia this Saturday night as the ACC offers a huge contest. A game which could have implications on the national title, conference standings and the NFL Draft. And while there are several other solid games on the college schedule, none compare to Miami-Virginia Tech.

Iowa vs. Northwestern (ESPN/12:00pm EST)

An important Big Ten match-up with plenty of
future NFL-linebackers on the field.

We've chronicled the exploits of Iowa's Chad Greenway
and Northwestern's Tim McGarigle all season long. Each player
consistently registers double digit tackles every Saturday. Greenway is a top 20
selection next April while McGarigle is making his way towards the
events first day.

Three other Hawkeye defenders are worth
mentioning. Abdul Hodge takes a backseat to Greenway yet is another
first-day linebacker. Cornerbacks Jovon Johnson and Antwan Allen
are both solid late round selections who stand to benefit from a good
performance against Northwestern's mighty passing offense.

The Volunteer secondary will be hard-pressed to
stop Notre Dame's air assault. Quarterback Brady Quinn looks better
every week and is almost assured of being a first round pick should he enter the
draft. Junior receiver Jeff Samardzijaand senior counterpart Maurice Stovall
have also impressed NFL-scouts this year. The same can be said for junior
tight end Anthony Fasano.

Tennessee's offense has not been good in
'05. Yet the talk in scouting circles has many NFL decision makers
impressed with most of the Volunteer's next-level talent on defense.

Linebacker Kevin Simon looks to be in
fine form after sitting out last season with injury. Teammate Omar Gaither
has continued to build upon the momentum of a fine junior season. Both are
first day selections. Junior defensive tackle Justin Harrell is
stepping to the forefront and has caught the attention of scouts. If
Harrell enters April's draft he'll be off the board in the first
50-selections. But should he stay in Knoxville for his senior campaign,
Harrell could be a top 20 selection in '07.

A battle for Big Ten supremacy as the winner
sits atop conference standings after this one.

As usual, Wisconsin has a strong offensive line
with plenty of NFL-prospects. Early indications have left tackle Joe Thomas
sticking around for his senior season. A tremendous pass blocker, Thomas
is top 45-material should he depart for the pro-ranks after this year. Donovan Raiolahas established himself as a one of the four best centers in the
country. Raiola could sneak into the draft's first day.

The key to Penn State this season has been a
big play defense. Defensive end Tamba Hali has been outstanding and
though undersized, is sliding into the draft's top 60 choices. Matthew Rice
has also been effective and is another undersized lineman improving his draft
grade.

A match-up between underclassmen looms
large. Junior linebacker Paul Posluszny has been a force all
year. Leading the team in tackles, Posluszny is a terrific run defender
with potential at middle linebacker or on the inside in a 3-4 alignment. A
first day choice, he's given mixed signals as to whether or not he'll enter the
draft.

Brian Calhoun
has been effective since transferring from Colorado. A multi-purpose ball
handler, Calhoun has put up big rushing numbers and also produces catching the
ball.

Finally, Badger senior receivers Jonathan Orr
and Brandon Williams have come alive after not being involved in the
offense for some time. This weekend they go up against arguably college
footballs best tandem of cornerbacks in Alan Zemaitis and Anwar Phillips.
Zemaitis and Phillips are both top 75-picks next April.

Still unbeaten eight games into the season,
Virginia Tech sits atop the ACC's Coastal Division. The team right below
them? The Miami Hurricanes. As many as 20 next level players will be
on the field during this game.

Cornerback Kelly Jennings flashes
mid-first day skill but does not play to a high level on a consistent
basis. Junior Devin Hester grades out as a top ten
selection physically but needs to improve his cornerback techniques.

Their mission is to stop Marcus Vick and the
Virginia Tech offense.

Vick is ineligible for April's draft yet the
unheralded players surrounding him all have NFL potential. Jeff King
is one of the more undervalued tight ends in the nation and a complete player at
his position. Mike Imoh
is a short running back with a compact build and a change of pace ball carrier
for the next level. The consummate team player, Cedric Humes
offers great value. Possessing outstanding size\speed numbers, Humes is a
terrific short-yardage and goal line ball carrier who also averages 4.0-yards
per carry.

When Miami has the ball keep close watch on Eric Winston. The athletic left tackle came back bulkier and stronger off
his knee injury of a year ago. As a result his pass protection skills
slightly diminished. Saturday night he battles Darryl Tapp, an
explosive and fast edge rusher who will give Winston a great test.

Lastly, the match-up between Tech defensive
back Jimmy Williams and the Hurricane receivers looms large.

A big, physical player in the secondary,
Williams has early first round potential. Williams size and ability to
make plays facing the quarterback lend many to believe that safety, and not
cornerback, is his best pro-position.

Miami's receivers have answered the call this
year. Sinorice Moss is starting to live up to the expectations placed on
him. Slowly Moss is turning his speed and athleticism into football
production.

After a fast start big-bodied wide out Ryan Moore has
cooled down. The junior reciever, who is expected to jump into next April's
draft, is still ahead of the pace and production he put up last year.